Package-sealing apparatus.



PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

C. B. FROST. PACKAGE SBALNG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. B. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

` ko. 848,892. PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

` C. B. FROST.

PACKAGE SEALING APPARATUS..

ILPPLIGATION FILED AUG. 8. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.y

cisnENcE B. Enos'r, or oAMBErDcE, MAssAoHUsETTs.

PKAGE-SEALING APPARATUS.

senese.

Speeication of Letters Batent.

Patented April 2. 1907.

Applicationled August 8,1906. Serial No. 329,668.

.ftZZf 'aclwm/ 112'; nfl/ay concern:

known that l, CLARENCE B. FROST, ridge, .in the county of Essex and Massachusetts, have invented cerain n. w and useful Improvements in Package- Sealing Iipparatus, of which ing is a speciiioation.

lj's invention relates to package-sealing .devices 1n particular, it relates to apparatus for delivering a strip of adhesive tape and severing a suitable portion therefrom for binding andsealing packages.

The objects of the'lnvention are to improve the apparatus for controlling the tape and to perfect the operation of such apparatus in a number 'of details which hereinafter appear, among which are the arrangements for supporting the supply of tape in the apparatus, the improvement of the moistening apparatus, and the improvement of the various parts ofthe 'apparatus which vact upon g the tape in succession, vincluding the meistening device, the severing apparatus, and the control of the projecting tab end ofv the tape which remains after a portion has .been severed.

tra-ted inthetaccompanying drawings, in

. e blank from which one of the details of the invention is formed.

The, invention is not limited tothe particular form and construction here shown and described; but the embodiment here represented serves to illustrate the best form en which l at presentcontemplate construct.-VV

v:fing the invention. In this form tape is supplied from s .roll of previously-prepared gumrnedfand'dried paper and is arranged withzits lforward end projecting from the pase as indicated at B in Fig. 1. When needed for use, the tape is dryvn forth and .irl so doing is moistened, and thus rendered the followone embodiment si the-invention is tuus adhesive, and is cut off, leaving an end projecting for future use, and the moistem'ng operation is stopped.

Referring to the drawings, the various parts of the machine are represented as supported by an inclosing frame, composed of parts 1 and 2, which are joined together at the vertical hinge 3 at the rear. The line of separation preferably occurs in the middle, as plainly shown in liigs. 2 andii; but all the Working parts are mounted in the portion 1, and the view shown in Fig. 1 indicates the appearance with the portion Zlof the frame removed. T'heframe supported by legsll.

5 is the supply of tape, shownin the forin of a roll mounted on a tubular core 6. One feature of vnovelty is the manner of supporting this rolljpivotally. F lange-like disks 7 7 .are providedwith spring-hn gers S/E, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, adapted to engagel'riction.- ally the interior ofv the tube, the springprongs pressing' outward. These disks are pertorated centrally with holes of a suitable size to turn easily 'upon a pivot 11. The

disks may convwnicntly be formed by stamping in the blank form shown in Fig. 6, afterward bending the prongs to the shape shown in Fig. 3. When put in place, the prongs 8 of one disk are arranged quartering with the prongs 9 of the disk onthe opposite side. A screw 10 at the end of the pivot 11 holds in place'a flat spring 12, which bears against4 the end of the roll, pushing the same against radial ribs 14 with whatever tension is caused by adjustment of screw 10. The feature thus described makes it possible to lix this spring in proper adjustment for a successive number of supply-rolls of tape. To renew the supply-roll, the spring is slipped upward and off, `the screw-head 1U passing through 'the enlargement 13 in the central slot of the spring. The tubular core and its flangedisks 7 7 may then be slipped oil?, the disks placed in a fresh coil and replaced, and the spring slipped back into position, When the tension will be precisely the same as before,

provided no change is made in the screw 10.,

In previous forms of the device iii-which solid cores hav'cbeen used 1t has sometimes beenY IOO necessary to readjust the spring atf'eachtime outward springct theprongs' 9 makes them 'o adjustable to fit any ordinary variations in diameter of tubular cores, thus enabling the entire roll to turneasily upon the pivot 11.

Themoisteniig device comprises apan 16,

resting on posts 17, projecting from the side frame 1, and a roller 18, partly immersed in waterin the pan, having a surface covered with absorbent material or otherwise prepared for conveying water as the roll rotates upon its pivot 19. A closed reservoir 22 is supported on posts23 and `has a depending' 'neck 24 with an opening in the pan which is normally sealed by the water contained in the pan. When the level of this water falls sufficiently, air enters and allows more water Yto descend from reservoir 22. The wall of the pan next to the frame is extended sufliciently to 'support two guide pins or rolls 27 employ in this apparatus tape having some 28 at the end nearest the supply-roll of tape and a guide-pin 29 and another, placed approximately vertically over it near the moistening-roll. Another guide-rolll'is supported by a projection 32 on the`,back

wall; of the pan and is located outside the degree of elasticity. This may conveniently be obtained by using suitable paper tape having one side covered with dry gum adhesive niatter. When suchatape is threaded through the path. indicated and its outerend is left free, it will assume substantially the shape indicated by the line B in Fig. l, thel reversed curve between pins 29 and v30 throwmg the tape upward, so that 1t passes moistenmg-roll 1S w1thout contact, the tab endl resting on its carriage -V hen the, tape is drawn forth, it tends tola'ssume a stra-ight line and inevitably comeslin contact with the moistening-whcel, because in its highestA position C, which isdetcrmined by the position of the guide-pin El, the straight line between -30 and 31, which the tape tends to occupy, is intersected h v the curve of the moisteningroll. l

In the developmentof this art heretofore accomplished an extilnal guide for the tape has been devised, consisting of' a hurlerated at about the position occupied vby the tabcarriage 33 in the present drawings, which bar was mounted upon a frame which allowed it to yield in a downward direction when the tape was drawn down and which was automatically returned tn-said position, v thus` movi-ng thetab end away from themoistening-wheel when the tension was released. In another stage of development a multipleridged roll`was used as a tab-support, this being an improvement and different in function, in that in the latter apparatus the removal of the ta e from the moiste'ningwheel was effecte either by the act of the operator lifting the same with his hand4 or by the spring of the tape automatically from passing around pins 29 and 30. The ent tab-carriage is allied to this latter form' fof apparatus and is an improvement thereon.

The function of the carriage is to provide/a support for the tab end movable forward and bac r in a horizontal direction. The carriage has no relation to `the moistening-Wheelvso far as 'the removal of the tape therefrom is concerned. Whenv the tap'e is being drawn forth, all forward of' the moistening-wheel is in an adhesive condition. In the operation of severing the tape is raised to the position marked D, and the-severing occurs at the point shown by the dotted position ofthe vnife 42. stretched between pins 30 and 31, in contact with wheel 1S and not in contact-with carriage 33, being raised above the same against the under side of pin 31.

The carriage 33 is shown enlarged in Fig. 4 and consists of a horizontal serrated bar which forms the tape-support, two pivots 36, mounted in projections 32 34 from the pan, and a weighted portion 35, which maintains the serrated bar 'normally under the roll 31, but permits it to swing a little forward or back of the same, motion being limited4 inl these respects by the stop 37. Normally when not in centaetwith the tape the 'earriage assumes a position of rest with the serrated bar somewhat forward of the position shown m Figs. land 1. W henaetab end of pres- The tape is at that instant4 ICO the tape falls from the position D after severing, its under side strikes the carriage 33 and adheres slightly thereto, and owing to its elastic character the tape'at the same'in- Astant laut'omatically lifts itselffrom the moistening-wheel 1S to the curved position indicated by the line 'B. ln so doing thetab end is withdrawn somewhat into the a paratus. render .the apparatus more delicately responsive when tape of weak elastipower'is USCG.

The purpose of theearriage 33 1s to lf' a stationary rod be substituted for i the carriage 33, the tape'will in general be drawn back in a nornnal way 5 but if the cias-- tic powerbe weak it will be overcome by the strength of the adhesion to this stationary' rod. The substitution of the carriave 33 for a stationary rod enables the-tab to be withdrawn without fail, notwithstanding that the elasticity ofthe tape is too weak to ovrcome the adhesion of the tab te the su ppt- This is accomplished by the-yie ding motiolLof the support', which moves inward with' the tape. 'llie essential principle of ceases this device, therefore, is that-of a'carriage ticity ofethe'tape to have full play. if the tape is drawn outward at a lower angle than the line C, the carriagel swings outward a little till stopped bythe stop 37, thus permitting the tape to pass over it without having the adhesive materials scraped. away by tnc carriage. The forward and back movenient of this carriage may be obtained in Aany other suitable way, but the device of causing the saine to swing has'the advantage of being simple and free from friction.

Another feature of the invention is the com. ensating spring 39, which is convenlent-.y attached at some point .forward of the rear surface of the moistening-wheel 18, as at 38, on the support 34 and which has an arm (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2) bearing on the rear surface of the wheel 1S. rlhis serves in Vpartthe .function of scraping excess of moisture from the wheel, but mainly it serves to compensate the irregularities of motion of the inoistening-wheel as tape is drawn forth. T his spring yields upward approximately in the direction of motion of the surface of thewheel-S; but it will be observed that its 'point of attachment 3S is not concentric irregular movement, which prevents blade 412 from retreating,

with the wheel, and that it moves upward its path departs from the surface of the wheel, so that its drag on the wheel becomes weaker` in operation this spring modifies the motion of the wheel, retarding it somewhat and at the same time giving it a somewhat jerky facilitates the inoistening operation where the wheel' is in contactwith the tape.

Another feature of the invention relates to the severing-blade #12, which is mounted pivotally at 11 and has an arm 4() projecting in such manner that it is in position'to be en-v gaged by the tape when the latter is raised from position C to position D. rl`he pivotal. mounting of the blade comprises a safety device, and if any person er object should touch tne blade from the front the blade swings easily backward and does no damage. lli/rlich, however, the tape iraised and approaches ihoposil lou D, it engages this part ol f. apparatus on hmhsidcs of the pivotdl.. Hence the pressure yof the tape upon the u shaped point of the blade 42 cannot swing the tape, being held to itswork by contact of the lower portieri ofthe tape witht'ne arm 40. A weight de'may be provided to maintain the blade an E arm normally in the desired. position, and a stop 46 can beused to irevent the erin fron;v swinging too far back; iut the latv that blaue backward,` and the blade pierces ter is nel, necessary. s The device is arranged n lfig. l to serve still another function, viz: the contact of tape with the arm d() not only butactually throws it forward, as is evident from consideration ofthe dotted-line position of the blade to which it is thrown by action of the tape against arm 40. As shown in Fig. l, the blade 1s retracted entirely within the \ap slot 43.

The invention also comprises means to Guard against injuring the package by the blade while in the act of severing the tape. For that urpose the frame of the apparatus projects orward at each side ofthe knife in a curve, (indicated at 47,) the space between which is free for passage of tape; but these side projections prevent 'the package from approaching the knife. In operation the package is held in the hand with the tape attached and is moved upward, resting on the curve 47, which thus gages its distance and limits its approach to the blade. Another form of this feature of the invention is shown in Fig. 5, in which the blade 42 is lpivoted at Ll1 and is capable of swinging outward through` slot 43. jecting portion 47 a vpivoted portion 47 is substituted, pivoted at 52, having a notch at its .;tremity in which the rested, as illustrated. Upon pushing lthe package A upward, the carriage 47 will swing around the pivot 52, and the tape will encounter tlie tail of the knife under the pivot 41, thus forcing forward the blade 42 which tance from the package W'hile this is the preferred form, th(` action may be made more positivo if dcsircdby connecting levers between the swinging part 47 and the swinging knife, so that the knife shall be swung by the direct push. of the operator in moving the lover or carriage i7 instead of indirectly by virtue of the tension of the tape against the tail of the knife, as here illustrated.

Another feature of the invention relates to the device for moistening the projecting tab end B at times when it has become dry, owing tolapse of time. lt is easily possible to push the tah end lB downward with the thumb upon the adjacent surface of the moistcning-wheel5 but thc operator is-apt to soil'the Vlingersin remo ving the tape from. the wheel. when thus mois-tened. An auxiliary the forward surface of inoistoning-wheel 18, mounted on an arm 5i., which is concentric with wheel i8. This little auxiliary roll has a 'felt or other water-conveying surface, by which it may take moist-ure from wheel 1S. 'lo moisten the projecting tah end, this auxiliary roll raised a short distance toward the carriage 33, thus becomil'ig thoroughly rnoistened by rubbing on the surface of 18. Then the tab end is hcldncar and the roll 5() pushed down inA ycontact with the under side thereof. rlhe tab end is thus inoistcned and 'i rendered adhesive without sticking to any i part-,of the moistcning apparatus.

paratus, lbut can project forward vthroughinstead of the rigid propackage A may be will pierce and sever the tape at a short dis-v vlOO roll l) is therefore provided contacting with I claim- 1. A rotatable roll for rendering tape adhesive, in combination with e dragebearing thereon, comprising e. spring-rod having' one end finned in position eccentricelly to tneroll on the side toward which motion normally proceeds, and the other end bearing against the periphery.

2. A rotatable roll for rendering tape ed l hesive, in combination with L spring dragbearing thereon, the spring being arranged to ect approximately in a tangential direction.

A device for rendering 'ta-pe adhesive, in combination with e. carriage located in the subsequent path of the tape, movable beckwznd-nnd forward in the direction of travel of the tape, for retractebljfv supporting the tab end of tripel el. A device for rendering tape adhesive, in combination with a blade for severing' the tape; and Ineens for guiding the pucha-ge attached to the tape past'the blade during the severing opera-tion et L predetermined distance therefrom. f

A device for rendering Lepe adhesive, in combination with e blade for severing the tape; and stationary guards set adjacent to the ends ol" the bledes edge, projecting before the sinne and obstructingr the approach thereto.

6. Means for guiding a strip of tape, in combination with et lever, having et one end a severing-blade for tape and having its other end in position to be engaged by the tape when the hitter approaches the blade, thereby holdingr the blade ege-inst retraction.

7. Means for guiding a. strip of tape, in combination With ay lever, having at one end a severing-blade normally retracted within the apparatus and hnving other inelly in position to be engaged incl by the tape on its appro-ech the thereby projecting the blade.

8. Means for guiding e strip of 'tape g n roll contacting with the guided tope to render the l5 tape adhesive, in combination with e smell auxiliary roll revolnble about vthe axis of the first roll end contacting with its surface beyond the point of guided Contact of tape therewith, whereby the projecting tab end may be rendered adhesive.

9. A se ve ing-blade, n'nweblbmounted ,i in combination with e. re Versely--nioving arm eontrolling the blsdes movement, seid erin beine,r engaged and operated by epproach of 5' the tape toward the blade for severing.

1 0. An appara-tus for hl'rnishing` adhesive tape, having e. pivotal support/for :L supplyroll, in combination with rotatable disks f. thereon embracing opposite sidesot the roll, 60 having radially-expensive spring-prongs pro# jeetingapproximately parallel to the pivot for engaging interiorly the tubular core o1- a roll of te-pe.

In testnnony whereof l have etlixed my signature in presence 'o two witnesses.

CLARENCE B. l1" '05 l'lvlitnesses:

EVERETT E. KENT, M. E. 'IURPHY. 

